BILL NUMBER: S534
SPONSOR: MARTINS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law and the criminal procedure law, in
relation to establishing the crime of aggravated disorderly conduct
 
PURPOSE:
To make it unlawful for individuals to cause public inconveniences,
annoyance or alarm, or recklessly create a risk where a person obstructs
vehicular or pedestrian traffic or prevents the public from entering or
exiting buildings during an unpermitted or unlawful protest, demon-
stration or assembly. Summary of Provisions:
Section 1. amends the penal law by adding a new section 240.20-a
Section 2. amends subdivision 3 of section 485.05 of the penal law by
amending section 3 of part R of chapter 55 of the laws of 2020.
Section 3. amends subdivision. 3 or section 485.05 of the penal law by
amending chapter 23 of the laws of 2024.
Section 4. amends paragraphs (t) and (u) of subdivision 4 of section
310.10 of the criminal procedure law
Section 5 amends subparagraphs (xz) and (xxi) of paragraph (b) of subdi-
vision 1 of seCticm 530.20 of the criminal procedure law, subparagraph
(:.:x) and subparagraph (xxi) as added by section 4 of subpart c of part
uu of chapter 56 of the laws of 2022, are amended and a new subparagraph
(xrii) is added.
Section 6. amends paragraph (t) and (u) of subdivision 4 of section
530.0 of the criminal procedure law, paragraph (t) is amended and para-
graph (u) is amended by section 4 of subpart b of uu of chapter 56 of
the laws of 2022.
Section 7. effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
There have been several high-profile instances where individuals
involved in non-permitted demonstrations have blocked access to build-
ings, as well as entrances to roads and bridges. In New York City, on
more than one occasion, activists locked arms and held banners that
brought traffic to a standstill. Many New Yorkers have seen the impact
of unpermitted protests on our communities, and on our residents. These
protests affect individuals in residential buildings, those going to
work, those who are trying to travel roads, bridges and tunnels, and
those trying to access train stations. These types of actions put every
resident at risk by preventing emergency services from getting to people
who need them. There must be consequences for these kinds of actions.
This bill is intended to improve the safety and the security of every
resident who calls New York home.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.S646; Referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

Statutes affected:
S534: 485.05 penal law, 485.05(3) penal law